shall be sanctified in you before their eyes."

Indulgence in this drink, especially by the church, _is inconsistent
with any reasonable hope that the flood of intemperance would not return
upon the land, even should it for a season be dried up_. The same causes
which have produced it would produce it again, unless there be some
_permanent_ counteracting influence. Temperance associations are
unspeakably important as means of reformation. But they are not
permanent bodies; their organization may cease when intemperance is once
done away; and unless the principle of TOTAL ABSTINENCE be generally
acknowledged and regarded as a Christian duty, by some great association
that _is to be perpetual_, it may in time be forgotten or despised; and
then drunkenness will again abound. Such an association is found only in
"the church of the living God." This will continue while the world
stands. Let the principle of ENTIRE ABSTINENCE, then, be recognized by
all members of the church, and such others as they can influence; and
you have a great multitude to sustain the temperance cause, "till time
shall be no longer." And can the real Christian, or patriot, think it
hard thus to enlist for the safety of all future generations? If parents
love their offspring, if Christians love the millions coming upon the
stage, will they not gladly secure them all from the destroyer? Has he a
shadow of consistency who will rather do that, which, if done by the
church generally, would lead millions to hopeless ruin?

The use of intoxicating drink, as an article of luxury or living, _is
inconsistent with the plain spirit and precepts of God's word_. The
proper use to be made of it, is so distinctly pointed out in Scripture,
that men need not mistake. It is to be used as a _medicine_ in _extreme
cases_. "Give strong drink unto him that is _ready to perish_." Its
common use is condemned as foolish and pernicious. "Strong drink is
raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby, is _not wise_." "They are out
of the way through strong drink; they err in vision; they stumble in
judgment." Such passages show clearly the mind of God with respect to
the nature and use of this article.

Moreover, it is said, "Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink." But
does not every man who sells or uses this liquor, as a beverage,
encourage his neighbor to drink, and thus contemn God's authority? Does
he not aggravate his guilt by sinning against great light? And would he